Performing arts school study goes up by 10K

BRACEBRIDGE - The Town of Bracebridge will have to pay an extra $10,000 to find out if a performing arts school will make the cut.
Council green-lighted the added cost at a general committee meeting on March 6, which relates to a study the town commissioned in December to help bring an arts school to Bracebridge. The study was originally estimated to cost $25,000, and is being done by the cultural consultancy group Novita Interpares Limited.
The same group did a feasibility study and marketing work for the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre in 2006.
The consultants are exploring the possibility of running the arts school with partnerships with local institutions, which they say entails more costly in-depth research.
“Due to the change in the scope of work, and in particular the further in-depth consultations that will take place … Novita Interpares has provided a revised estimate of the work that would increase the project value by $10,000 plus HST,” said Cheryl Kelley, the town’s director of economic development.
The two-stage study involves first identifying whether a market exists for the school and then drafting a business plan. So far, studies have confirmed that there is a viable market for an arts school in Bracebridge, but the consultants say further research is still needed to uncover more details.
Under a revised work plan, they are looking to do more consultations with area organizations that could partner with the school.
“There have to be some really frank conversations with the various partners to make that happen,” said Kelley.
Findings so far suggest the arts school would be a draw for youths, seasonal residents and retirees in area communities. Reports by town staff say the local education sector has also expressed interest in running a summer program in Bracebridge. Potential partners include the Nipissing University and Georgian College Bracebridge campuses.
“There is a market, but it is a niche market,” said Kelley.
When the town’s economic development committee approved the Novita Interpares contract in December, it was announced that about 75 per cent of the project would be funded through a FedNor grant. The consultant submitted the lowest bid in a competitive bidding process that wrapped up in late November, and was chosen by the town over four other competitors.